Omani jet order provides boost

We look forward to working with Oman’s Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force of Oman

Guy Griffiths of BAE Systems

PM David Cameron, who visited the Middle Eastern state yesterday, said the contract for 12 Typhoon and eight Hawk jet aircraft “will safeguard thousands of jobs across the UK”.

Work will begin in 2014 at Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire and Brough in East Yorks.

The sites employ 6,000 high technology and engineering staff. Delivery of the planes is expected by 2017.

The Omani Ministry of Defence becomes the seventh operator of Eurofighter Typhoon and the third export customer, after Saudi Arabia and Austria.

Guy Griffiths, group managing director for BAE Systems’ international business, said: “We believe that Oman has now added the most advanced fighter jet and proven training aircraft available in the world to its military portfolio.

“We look forward to working with Oman’s Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force of Oman to ensure this is a highly successful programme.” Before his arrival in the capital Muscat, the Prime Minister dismissed concerns about selling arms in the region.

He said: “Boosting exports is vital for economic growth and that’s why I’m doing all I can to promote British business in the fastest-growing markets.

“Every country in the world has a right to self-defence and I’m determined to put Britain’s first-class defence industry at the forefront of this market, supporting 300,000 jobs across the country.”